OTTAWA — Eyes were on the pavement last weekend as a number of Ottawa Lions runners competed at the Run to Empower event at the Central Experimental Farm. Dedicated to supporting and advancing women’s running in Canada, the event featured a pair of 5-kilometre races.
Competing in the Ottawa’s Fastest Women section, Elizabeth Vroom led the Lions contingent with a 12th-place finish in 17:19. With the performance, the Queen’s University student moved to sixth on the club’s all-time list for the distance.
Finishing five spots back was Jocelyn Giannotti, who crossed the line in 17:45.
Fellow Lion Isla Kittmer also delivered a strong performance, placing 20th overall in 18:15. The Grade 10 student was the top U20 finisher in the race and established new club records in both the U18 and U20 categories.
Meanwhile, in the Run to Empower 5K section, Jaiden Taft delivered a 28-second personal best to finish fifth overall in 17:10. The performance moves Taft to fourth on the club’s all-time U16 boys rankings.
Down the 401 in Toronto, Zoe Gardiner was the second woman across the line at the Toronto Half-Marathon. The University of Ottawa medical student made a strong debut at the distance, crossing the finish line in 1:20:45 — just 1:34 behind race winner Kathleen Devine of Toronto.